Font ResizeThe passage of time, a meeting with coach Tom Cable and watching the video of Sunday's game apparently were enough to change quarterback JaMarcus Russell's stance about his level of responsibility in a 38-0 loss to the Jets.
On Thursday, Russell said: "There were mistakes out there. Everybody saw that. Good or bad, take that in stride and learn from it."
Russell said after Sunday's game that he was pleased with his reads and decision-making in a game in which he had two passes intercepted, lost a fumble and was replaced midway through the second quarter.
He has been quick in the past to point out reasons why things didn't go well and slow to accept responsibility. Cable said he is impressed by the way Russell has responded this week.
"The fact that he's had a chance to look at it after Sunday and take some responsibility for those kinds of things, it just adds to his motivation," Cable said. "He's got to get better."
Russell has shown signs of maturing in other areas, as well. Backup quarterback Charlie Frye said Russell was at work Wednesday morning at 6:30, earlier than he has arrived at any point this season, by Frye's estimation.
"For what had happened to him and for his attitude to get there that early Wednesday morning is impressive," Frye said. "That's him taking the first step to fix what's going on."
"We still have a lot of football to go," Russell said. "Just clean up some things within ourselves. It's going to be OK, I promise. Just take my word ... that things are going to get better. I can't tell you when, but I know they are."
He has been out since Aug."‰18, when he broke a bone in his left foot during a training camp practice. Cable said he is starting to doubt whether Schilens will be able to play Sunday.
